Beethoven, Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann - Missa Solemnis

Published Wednesday 9th March 2011
Beethoven, Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann - Missa Solemnis
Beethoven, Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann  - Missa Solemnis
DVD

STYLE: Choral
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 108418-
LABEL: C Major 705408
FORMAT: DVD Music video
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Ever since 1951 the Dresden Staatskapelle and the State Opera Chorus have performed a Requiem on 13th and 14th February in memory of the thousands of people who died on these days in the city in February 1945. No applause marks these concerts, which end in a minute's silence. The 2010 performance on view here marks a double anniversary: 65 years since the destruction of the opera house and 25 years since its re-opening. This is therefore an emotional occasion and any criticism should take into account the fact that this is a live recording. Yes, there are one or two audible shuffles as the choir stands and a muffled cough from the audience here and there but none of this matters. For those who have yet to hear Beethoven's 'Missa Solemnis In D Major (Opus 123)' this is one of the landmarks of classical music and in this recording Christian Thielemann "conjured up the gigantic cosmos of the Missa with such lightness and grace that its mystery seemed to reveal itself", to borrow from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. No less remarkable is the fabulously homogeneous solo quartet formed of Elīna Garanča (mezzo-soprano), Krassimira Stoyanova (soprano), Michael Schade (tenor) and Franz-Josef Selig (bass). And if the violin solo in the Benedictus, played by Matthias Wollong, does not send shivers down your spine you are in need of help. This is, as we have said, a sombre occasion and the recording suffers from the usual limitations of a static performance, despite the variety of camera angles. I may not watch this very often but I am certain I will want to hear it again.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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